A parenting plan includes important information about how adults intend to share parental rights and responsibilities. The terms included in a parenting plan can guide the co-parenting relationship until the children become adults themselves.
Those negotiating parenting plan issues while preparing for divorce or undergoing a breakup face unique challenges depending on their family circumstances. However, there are certain parenting issues that are more or less universal.
All three of the issues below typically require careful consideration when establishing a parenting plan.
1. The division of parenting time
Time-sharing arrangements are often a very emotional matter for parents to discuss. It is common for both parents to want as much time as possible with the children. Parents have to negotiate a reasonable overall division of parenting time.
They also need clear rules for dividing special events like holidays and birthdays, as well as extracurricular activities. Parents may need to spend quite some time negotiating to arrive at time-sharing arrangements that work well for the entire family.
2. The allocation of decision-making authority
Parents don’t just spend time with their children. They also have the authority to make decisions about their lives. Parents must share that legal authority in most cases involving shared custody.
Parents often need to negotiate specific rules for when they must consult one another prior to making decisions. They may also need to address what happens if they reach an impasse regarding key decisions related to a child’s upbringing.
3. The rules for communication
There are typically two types of communication that adults need to address in a parenting plan. The first is how the parents communicate with one another. The second is how they can communicate with the children when they are with the other parent.
Many parents implement rules that require written communication, possibly facilitated by a co-parenting app. Such standards help prevent routine parenting conversations from turning into protracted disputes.
The communication systems the parents use to interact with the children can be different depending on the distance between the houses, the overall breakdown of parenting time and even the age of the children. Having clear rules in place is important to ensure the maintenance of both parental relationships. Communication rules can also help limit conflict between parents.
Integrating the right terms into a parenting plan can help families more effectively navigate shared parental rights and responsibilities. Parents may need help negotiating with one another or preparing for court if they are unable to reach amicable decisions regarding important parenting matters.